Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 496

CAPT. J. W. McELRAVY, dealer in furniture, West Liberty, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born Dec. 31, 1836, and is the son of Daniel and Margaret ( McCombs ) McElravy.

Daniel McElravy was a native of Ireland, though born of Scotch parentage. In 1813 he emigrated with his parents to America, the family locating in Washington County, Pa., where he grew to manhood, assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm. When the family came to the United States the war with Great Britain was in progress ,and Daniel, who had some military training in the public schools of the old country, became a drill sergeant for some Pennsylvania troops during the last year of the war, although but a youth of sixteen years. In 1818 he was united in marriage with Margaret McCombs, a native of Pennsylvania, but of Scotch parentage. Soon after marriage, and during the same year, the young couple emigrated to Harrison County, Ohio, where Mr. McElravy purchased a farm, and where he spent the remainder of his days, engaged in tilling the soil. His death occurred in 1860, at the age of sixty-two years. They were members of the Presbyterian Church,and in all church work manifested a warm interest, being ever ready to discharge any duty that might devolve upon them. In politics Mr. McElravy was a Democrat. They reared a family of seven children, five of whom are still living: John, who was a graduate of the University at Alleghany City, died in Ohio, at the age of thirty years; Alexander, now a farmer in Belmont County, Ohio; Nancy, wife of Eber Major, of Franklin County, Ohio; Robert, a Sergeant in the 126th Ohio Infantry, was killed at the battle of Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865; J. W., the subject of this sketch; Thomas C., who served as Captain of Company G, 74th Ohio Infantry, now a farmer in Jefferson County, Ohio; Franklin M., who served in the 52d Ohio Infantry, now a farmer near Rising, Butler Co., Neb.

J.W.McElravy, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools of his native county, supplemented by one term at the Hopedale Normal School. In June, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, 30th Ohio Infantry, and served four years, being mustered out Aug.13, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark., and having risen through all the grades from private to captain, being mustered out as Captain of Company F. of the 30th Ohio Infantry. With his regiment he participated in many skirmishes and battles, including the battles of Carnifix Ferry, W.Va., Cotton Hills, Va., Princeton, Va., Second Bull Run, Va., South Mountain, Md., Antietam, Md., Haines Bluff, Miss., Champion Hills, Miss., Black River, Miss.,Siege of Vicksburg, including the desperate charges made on the enemies' works on May 19 and May 22; Jackson, Miss., July 10 to July 16, 1863; Missionary Ridge, Tenn., Resaca, Ga., Kingston, Ga., Dallas, Ackworth, Alatenna, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Little Kennesaw, Nigger Jack Creek, Stone Mountain, Atlanta, July 22, 1864; Ezra Chapel, July, 28, 1864; Jonesboro, Ga., Savannah, Ga., Ft. McAllister, Broad River, Saluda River, Columbia and Bentonville, N.C.----the last general engagement of the war.

After his discharge from the service, Capt. McElravy returned to his home in Harrison County, Ohio, broked in health, caused by the arduous duties he was called upon to perform while with his regiment. Believing a change of climate might prove beneficial, in 1867 he went to Colorado. where he spent one year, and then came to West Liberty, where he engaged in the hardware trade, in which business he continued about two years, when he sold out and moved to Jasper County, Mo., purchased a farm, and for the next eighteen months engaged in farming. He then returned to West Liberty, and in 1873 entered into partnership under the firm name of N. Gaskell & Co. in the grocery and grain trade. One year afterward he sold out and purchased the West Liberty Enterprise, which paper he edited and published until Nov. 6, 1884, when he sold that and established his present business, in which he has been reasonably successful, carrying a full line of furniture, picture frames, molding, and in fact everything usually found in a store of this kind.

On the 15th of December, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Arabella Lewis, a native of Iowa, and a daughter Clark Lewis, of West Liberty, then of Cedar County. Four children have blessed their union: Edna H., a student in the State University of Iowa City; Grace R., Elmer I., and Robert C., at home.

Capy. McElravy is a well-informed man upon all the issues of the day, but in political views is not bound to any party. He is one that loves his country better than party. Socially, he is a member of Liberty Lodge No. 190, I.O.O.F., and of Silas Jackson Post No. 255, G.A.R. In the latter organization he is the first Commander. As a citizen, he is ever ready to do his duty in any way that will best advance the interests of his adopted city.


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